Published in:
01-02-2009 | Brief Report of a Special Case
Isolated Whipple disease of the brain resembling a tumour
Authors:
James L. Frazier, Alfredo Quinones-Hinojosa
Published in:
Acta Neurochirurgica
|
Issue 2/2009
Login to get access
Abstract
Introduction
Isolated Whipple disease of the central nervous system is a rare occurrence. Migratory arthralgias and gastrointestinal problems, including malabsorption, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and weight loss, are common presenting symptoms.
Discussion
For those patients with systemic signs and symptoms of Whipple disease, 6% to 43% will have clinically manifested CNS involvement that may include alterations in personality, ataxia, and dementia. We report our experience with a patient, who was successfully treated for Whipple disease 12 years prior to presentation and had a magnetic resonance image of the brain that revealed two solitary lesions resembling a tumor upon presentation.